Armed Forces' Rifles

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the total number of rifles, indicating the number of rifles of each different model, that are at present on issue to HM Armed Forces; what steps they are taking to replace or modify them to bring them to the necessary standard of robustness and reliability; and whether they can estimate the time and cost required to take the necessary remedial action for this purpose.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The total number of rifles on issue to HM Armed Forces is 306,413. This covers the following rifle types:
	Rifle 0.22in No 8 Mk1
	Rifle 0.338in L115A1
	Rifle 0.50in M82A1
	Rifle 5.56mm L85A1 (SA 80)
	Rifle 5.56mm L98A1 (Cadet Rifle)
	Rifle 5.56mm M16A2
	Rifle 7.62mm L81A2 (Cadet Target Rifle)
	Rifle 7.62mm L96A1
	Rifle 7.62mm PM/PMS
	Rifle 7.62mm L100A1/L100A
	I am withholding a detailed breakdown of the numbers of type under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which relates to Defence, Security and International Relations.
	All types of rifle in-service with HM Armed Forces are continuously monitored for reliability and maintainability. This monitoring process is used to plan upgrade and modification programmes.
	The majority of rifles used by the Armed Forces are of the SA 80 type. Experience in recent conflicts has shown that these rifles have a tendency to become unreliable when used in extremes of climate. We have now carried out statistically valid trials to confirm these problems and, as a result, are considering modifying the weapon to increase its overall reliability. A decision on the way forward is expected shortly.

Mozambique Emergency: Charges for Helicopter Use

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	(a) Why the Ministry of Defence sought £2 million remuneration from the Department for International Development for the use of helicopters in Mozambique; (b) whether the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer were consulted before reimbursement was requested; and (c) why this financial requirement was not met from central contingency funds.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: An initial cost estimate of about £2 million was provided to the Department for International Development in accordance with the principles of Government Accounting, under which we recover the additional cost of any goods or services provided to other government departments. As these principles are well established between departments, neither the Prime Minister nor the Chancellor of the Exchequer was consulted.
	At the time, DfID was still funding the UK's response to the emergency in Mozambique from within its existing resources. The Chief Secretary to the Treasury agreed that if and when these are exhausted, the Secretary of State for International Development will be allowed access to the Reserve to continue funding the emergency rescue effort. This has been fully understood throughout the crisis and officials from the Treasury and DfID have been keeping in close touch.

TA Financial Systems Administrators

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	With respect to the replacement of the Territorial Army's Financial Systems Administrators (non-regular permanent staff) by Executive Officer civil servants, what will be the "pay-back" period, taking into account the need to train Executive Officers and then rotate them in accordance with civil service regulations.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Year on year Band D civil servants (previously known as Executive Officers) will prove cheaper than Non Regular Permanent Staff in Finance and Systems Administrators posts.

TA Financial Systems Administrators

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What will be the full cost of accommodating all the civil servants being trained on residential courses to take up the posts of Financial Systems Administrators (non-regular staff) in the Territorial Army currently being undertaken by ex-Regular Army paid Non-commissioned Officers.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The cost of accommodation, which is arranged on an individual basis, and the travelling and subsistence costs of civil servants training to become Finance and Systems Administrators will depend on each individual's personal circumstances. It is estimated that the average cost for each of the 65 new FSAs will be in the region of £9,000.

TA Financial Systems Administrators

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the effect on morale of the Territorial Army's Financial Systems Administrators (non-regular permanent staff) being ordered to train the civil servants who will replace them.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The training of civil servants to become Finance and Systems Administrators is being carried out at the School of Employment Training at Worthy Down. There will be a requirement for the current incumbent to brief the incoming civil servant on issues specific to the unit in question, as is the case whenever a post holder changes. This handover will be treated as sympathetically as possible in the circumstances.

TA Financial Systems Administrators

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Ministry of Defence will recognise the industrial tribunal in respect of any claims by the Territorial Army's Financial Systems Administrators (non-regular permanent staff) who have been made redundant, in order to arrive at a fair resolution of their grievance.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Employment tribunals do not have jurisdiction to hear unfair dismissal claims brought by members of the Armed Forces.

TA Financial Systems Administrators

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the need, function or role of the Financial Systems Administrator (non-regular permanent staff) of Territorial Army units has been changed by the Strategic Defence Review, and, if not, how the non-regular permanent staff Non-commissioned Officers currently undertaking this duty can be redundant.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The need, role and function of the Finance and Systems Administrator in a Territorial Army unit have not been changed by the Strategic Defence Review. Examination of the manpower establishments of TA units did establish, however, that the function could be carried out more cost effectively in the long term by an appropriately trained civil servant.

Kosovo: Railway System

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What successful steps have been taken by HM Armed Forces to improve the operation of the railway system in Kosovo in the last twelve months.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The operation of the railway system in Kosovo is primarily the responsibility of UNMIK. However, KFOR has made operational 229 km of railway track and restored railroads between Kosovo Polje and Pec, between Prizren and Klina and from Skopje (in Macedonia) and Mitrovica.
	UK Armed Forces are also playing their part in rebuilding Kosovo's infrastructure and currently contribute two "Steelman" locomotives for shunting purposes. Seven operating personnel will shortly deploy to the province to ensure the safe and proper operation of the locomotives.

Chechnya: Assistance

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What Britain has done to minimise the suffering of the civilian population in Chechnya; and what is being done to help the Chechen refugees in the neighbouring Russian Republic of Ingushetia.

Baroness Amos: The UK, together with EU partners, has condemned the use of indiscriminate and disproportionate force in Chechnya. We have taken every opportunity to call for a political process to end the conflict. We have asked for a full and transparent investigation into allegations of human rights abuses, and for improved access to the region for international organisations. To assist displaced people in the region, the UK is contributing £1.7 million to the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross, and around 0.8 million euro (£0.5 million) as our contribution to the assistance allocated by the European Commission Humanitarian Office.

Civil Actions: Statistics

Lord Ackner: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many civil actions were commenced in each of the years 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999:
	(a) in the County Court; and
	(b) in the High Court.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: The information is as follows:
	
		
			  1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 
			 County Court 2,467,028 2,358,535 2,228,292 2,270,490 2,265,072 
			 High Court 195,875 182,241 159,806 152,412 79,068

Access to Justice Act, Section 30: Costs Recovery

Baroness Lockwood: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which bodies the Lord Chancellor intends to prescribe as entitled to take advantage of the costs recovery provisions contained in Section 30 of the Access to Justice Act 1999; what criteria he will take into account in determining status as a prescribed body; and what procedure should membership organisations follow if they wish to be approved as prescribed bodies.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: Section 30 of the Access to Justice Act 1999 comes into force on 1 April. From that date membership organisations with prescribed body status will be able to recover a sum as part of legal costs from unsuccessful opponents to reflect the provision of legal help for members and their families.
	By virtue of the Access to Justice (Membership Organisations) Regulations 2000, which also come into force on 1 April, bodies which are prescribed for the purpose of Section 30 of the Act are those bodies which are for the time being approved by me.
	From 1 April I will approve all trade unions listed by the Certification Officer as at 31 March 2000 as prescribed bodies. Other membership organisations may apply to me for approval.
	Rather than setting down rigid criteria for prescription in regulations, I believe that there should be a flexible approach with each application for approval treated on its merits. Therefore, in deciding whether an organisation should be approved, I will take account of any relevant representations in its application, but will be mindful, so far as it is relevant, of whether the organisation in question:
	Exists to protect, defend, represent and promote the interests of its members.
	Has a range of benefits for members.
	Offers litigation funding as one of those benefits and on a discretionary basis, at no additional charge.
	Publishes annual accounts.
	Uses monies paid by members to promote their interests and benefits.
	Covers all those deemed eligible by the organisation (not only members).
	Organisations wishing to seek my approval as prescribed bodies for the purposes of Section 30 of the Act should apply in writing to:
	Costs and Litigation Funding Branch
	Lord Chancellor's Department
	3rd Floor Selborne House
	54-60 Victoria Street
	London SW1E 6QW.

HM Land Registry and Public Record Office: Key Performance Targets

Baroness Lockwood: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the key performance targets for Her Majesty's Land Registry and the Public Record Office executive agencies for 2000-2001.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: The following tables set out the key performance targets I have set for Her Majesty's Land Registry and the Public Record Office for 2000-2001.
	
		H M Land Registry Key Performance Indicators and Targets 2000-01
		
			 Financial Indicator Target 2000-01 
			 Percentage return on average capital employed. 6 
			 Efficiency 
			 Cost per unit in real terms. £25.09 
			 Cost per unit in cash terms(1) £30.87 
			 "Service First" Standards 
			 Speed 
			 Percentage of office copy and official search applications processed within two working days and 98 
			 Percentage of office copy and official search applications processed within three working days. 100 
			 Percentage of all registrations processed within 25 working days.2 80 
			 Accuracy 
			 Percentage of registrations processed free of any error. 98.5 
			 Percentage of customers responding to the Annual Survey who perceive the accuracy of registrations to be excellent or good. Better than 902 
			 Delivery of Electronic Services 
			 Percentage of dealings (key customer interactions) capable of electronic delivery. 50 
			 Percentage of titles in the land register capable of electronic delivery. 96 
			 Percentage of title plans in the land register capable of electronic delivery. All 
			 Number of scanned pages of filed documents (millions). 11 
		
	
	1 The inflation factor for the cost per unit in cash terms is derived from the GDP indices announced by HM Treasury in December 1999.
	2 In 2000-01 the categories will be 'very satisfied' and 'satisfied' with the accuracy of registrations.
	Note:
	The financial target of £0 External Financing Limit shown in the corporate plan 1998-2003 has been removed at the request of HM Treasury.
	Fuller details of HMLR's targets are in its Business Plan.
	
		Public Record Office Key Performance Targets 2000-01
		
			 Indicator Target 
			 1. Efficiency 
			 Unit costs of key activities: 
			 (a) selecting and preserving the public records Limit increase to 3 per cent in real terms 
			 (b) giving access to records Reduce by 26 per cent in real terms 
			 Backlog of records in departments reported as being over 30 years old and awaiting review Reduce by 397 metres 
			 Management efficiency in running support services and projects Reduce the level of staff sick absence in 2000 by 8.2 per cent 
			  Pay 99 per cent of invoices within 30 days 
			 2. Quality of service  
			 The achievement of Charter Standards  
			 (a) Charter Standard targets for: making newly opened records and their catalogues available to users; answering letters; delivering records to users; supplying copies of records; answering the telephone; and keeping appointments. Achieve 98.5 per cent against the targets 
			 (b) User satisfaction surveys Carry out four satisfaction surveys and achieve assessments of 'good' or 'excellent' from 90 per cent of those expressing a view 
			 3. Effectiveness  
			 Performance in achieving specified milestones towards strategic objectives in the light of emerging government policies (a) Facilitate the achievement by Departments of the Modernising Government Action Plan objective for managing records electronically, by testing electronic records management systems and by providing details of those which are suitable for inclusion in GCat (the Government Catalogue) by 30 September 2000 
			  (b) increase revenue by 3 per cent against the 1999-2000 outturn 
		
	
	Note:
	Fuller details of the Office's targets are given in its Business Plan which is available from the Public Record Office.

Reconviction Rates

Lord Dholakia: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the conviction rate within two years of release of (a) all prisoners; (b) prisoners sentenced to 12 months or more; and (c) prisoners sentenced to less than 12 months; and what were the equivalent figures five, 10 and 15 years ago respectively.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The requested two year reconviction rates are shown in the table.
	Due to a change in the methodology of calculating reconviction rates, the rates given for prisoners discharged in 1987, 1991 and 1999 are not directly comparable with rates given for earlier years. The 1996 rates are for the first quarter of the year only.
	
		
			  Two year reconviction rates for 
			 Year All prisoners Prisoners sentenced to 12 months or more Prisoners sentenced to less than 12 months 
			 1996 56% 49% 60% 
			 1991 53% 45% 58% 
			 1987 57% 54% 59% 
			 1986(1) 50%(1) n/a n/a 
			 1981(1) 57%(1) n/a n/a 
		
	
	(1)Figures prior to 1987 are based on a different methodology, which resulted in lower reconviction rates by some 5 or 6 percentage points.

Prison Service: Business Plan and Key Performance Indicators

Lord Graham of Edmonton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they intend to publish the Prison Service's Business Plan and the Key Performance Indicators for 2000-01.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Prison Service Business Plan for 2000-2001, which includes the key performance indicators, has been published today and copies have been placed in the Library.

Metropolitan Police Boundary Changes

Lord Graham of Edmonton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there has been any progress towards implementing the change to the boundaries of the Metropolitan Police to make them coterminous with the boundaries of the London boroughs.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The change to the boundaries takes effect on 1 April, as planned. The responsibility for policing those parts of Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey which are currently within the Metropolitan Police District will pass from the Metropolitan Police to the respective county forces.
	Essex Police, Hertfordshire Constabulary, Surrey Police, their Police Authorities, and the Metropolitan Police have prepared for the changeover in a thorough and professional manner. A great deal of detailed work has been put in since my right honourable friend the Home Secretary announced the change in June 1998. He commends them for their close co-operation, and he is confident that there will be a smooth transfer of responsibilities. People in the transferring areas need have no concerns about disruption to their local policing service.
	The funding for the three county Police Authorities will be increased from April to reflect their enlarged areas. In addition, we are making special payments out of the police grant totalling £10 million to go towards costs arising out of the transfer.
	My right honourable friend the Home Secretary is confident that the benefits of the boundary changes will soon show through. He decided to change the boundaries for three main reasons.
	Firstly, it makes it easier for the criminal justice agencies in the area to work together in the fight to reduce crime. Local councils and other agencies will no longer have to work with two different police forces when discharging their responsibilities under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. This is an important step towards aligning boundaries in the criminal justice system, thereby improving efficiency and effectiveness.
	Secondly, the change supports a democratic accountability. It gives local people a say, through their county Police Authority, in the way their area is policed. People in the transferring areas will not have a vote in the forthcoming election for London's Assembly members, who will be in the majority on the new Metropolitan Police Authority. It is right that these areas be policed by county forces whose Police Authorities, with councillor members in the majority, already provide local democratic accountability.
	Thirdly, the change allows the Metropolitan Police to focus its efforts on the huge task of policing the nation's capital.
	The Metropolitan Police have policed the transferring areas since the time of Sir Robert Peel. I would like to pay tribute to the efforts of all the officers and civil staff of the Metropolitan Police who have worked in these areas over the years. They deserve the Government's thanks, and the thanks of the local communities.

Metropolitan Police: Policing and Performance Plan

Lord Graham of Edmonton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they expect the Metropolitan Police Commissioner's Policing and Performance Plan for 2000-01 to be published.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that he will be publishing details of his Policing and Performance Plan for 2000-01 on the Metropolitan Police website, http://www.met.police.uk, on Friday, 31 March.
	Advertisements have also been placed in the London press summarising key performance data and targets set out in the plan.
	Some of the performance data for 1999-2000 are provisional. Audited data will be included in a hard copy version of the plan to be published in June.
	The Policing and Performance Plan combines the requirements of an annual Policing Plan and, for the first time, an annual Best Value Performance Plan.
	The plan sets out the Metropolitan Police's two key priorities for 2000-2001: reducing crime and disorder, and diversity. The plan sets out the Metropolitan Police's crime reduction targets--a 2 per cent reduction in burglary, stopping the increasing level of street crime and an 8 per cent reduction in vehicle crime--together with key activities for delivery. It also contains a suite of Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPIs) with a summary of the Metropolitan Police's performance against those BVPIs for which historical data are available, and targets for future performance. The plan also sets out a five-year plan of Best Value reviews. The areas selected for review in the coming year are: investigating and detecting crime; combating bureaucracy and managing information, and consultation.
	The plan also sets out the means by which the Metropolitan Police aims to exceed the 2 per cent efficiency gains required by the Government from all police forces.
	The Commissioner will report on performance against the plan to my right honourable friend the Home Secretary in his capacity as the Metropolitan Police authority, and to the Metropolitan Police Committee, until 3 July, when the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) is established.
	My right honourable friend the Home Secretary believes that the Commissioner's plan will enable the MPA to make an effective start to providing a solid basis for monitoring and interrogating the Metropolitan Police's performance as the foundation for the plan the MPA will develop for 2001-02.

Life Peerages

Lord Craig of Radley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Jay of Paddington on 13 March (WA 195), whether the non-political persons recommended for peerages by the interim Appointments Commission will sit in the House as Life peers for life.

Baroness Jay of Paddington: The Government have said that they accept the principles underlying the main elements of the Royal Commission's report. However, at this stage, the Government do not want to comment upon the detail of the report. Answering this question would be a direct response to Recommendation 103:
	"Life peers created between the publication of this report and the enactment of legislation necessary to implement the second stage of Lords reform should be deemed to have been appointed to the reformed second chamber for a period totalling 15 years from the award of their life peerage"
	Instead, the Government want to build upon the consensus established by the unanimous report and intend to consult widely and listen carefully to discussion and debate on the Commission's recommendations before coming to their own conclusions.

Education Action Zones

Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there has been any evaluation of the effectiveness of Education Action Zones; and whether there are any plans to publish the findings.

Baroness Blackstone: Education Action Zones are being evaluated in a number of ways, including by OFSTED. The results will be published.

Education Action Zones

Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What funds have been set aside to create more Education Action Zones and over what timescale.

Baroness Blackstone: There are currently 73 large Education Action Zones already running or in development and another 42 small Education Action Zones will start in Excellence in Cities areas by September. In addition, as part of the expansion of Excellence in Cities announced by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State on 23 March, there are likely to be further small Education Action Zones established next year.

Post-16 Curriculum Reforms: Funding

Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Director of Qualifications at the Department for Education and Employment wrote to the Chief Education Officers of local education authorities in England in November 1999 about the funding implications of the forthcoming reforms of the post-16 curriculum for secondary schools with sixth-forms; and whether
	(a) the "Standard Spending Assessment" for 2000-01 took into account the estimated additional cost of £35 million for implementing the reform;
	(b) the Department for Education and Employment expects local education authorities to pass this money on to secondary schools with sixth-forms;
	(c) how much of the £35 million has been allocated to each local education authority in England; and
	(d) how much this amounts to, per eligible sixth-former, in each local education authority.

Baroness Blackstone: The Director for Qualifications in the Department wrote to Chief Education Officers in England on 29th November 1999, confirming that £35 million, the estimated national cost for 2000-01 of implementing the post-16 curriculum reforms in the schools they maintain, has been included in Education Standard Spending for that year.
	The letter made clear that, while it is for individual LEAs to decide how much funding to allocate to their schools, Ministers expect LEAs to do all they can to support the successful introduction of these reforms. They should give careful consideration to the implications of the reforms in their calculation of school budgets for 2000-01 in the light of the funds available within the overall local authority settlement.
	Since the acutal costs of implementing the reforms will vary from LEA to LEA and school to school, it would not be meaningful either to break the national figure down into amounts at local authority level, or to seek to calculate a cost per sixth form pupil.
	In addition, schools will be receiving £290 million in special grant for 2000-01, depending on their size. This funding will be part of their delegated budgets: those with sixth forms will therefore be able to use it if they wish to supplement funding received through their LEA's allocation formula to implement the post-16 curriculum reforms.

Education Maintenance Allowance Scheme

Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made on the pilot scheme to provide education maintenance allowances for 16 year-olds and on what basis those involved were selected for the allowance.

Baroness Blackstone: The education maintenance allowance (EMA) pilots started in September 1999. The pilots are at an early stage but we are encouraged by progress so far. There is considerable anecdotal evidence that the EMA is making a real difference to young people's attendance and effort, and in time this should result in better attainment. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State has announced that we will be extending the pilot scheme from September 2000, with additional funds made available by my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Budget.
	Three main factors were used to select the EMA pilot areas. We focused on areas with high deprivation levels, low levels of participation in post-16 education and low attainment at GCSE. In addition, we took into account whether the LEA would provide a statistically reliable sample size.

Education Maintenance Allowance Scheme

Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many 16 year-olds have benefited from the pilot scheme to provide education maintenance allowances for 16 year-olds.

Baroness Blackstone: The latest figures show that 14,122 young people are currently receiving EMAs in the 15 pilot areas.

Education Maintenance Allowance Scheme

Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How the pilot scheme to provide education maintenance allowances for 16 year-olds is funded.

Baroness Blackstone: The education maintenance allowance (EMA) pilots have been funded entirely from new money provided by the Government for this purpose. The Budget included an announcement that a further £50 million is being spent to expand the EMA pilots from September 2000. The expenditure is all "demand led" and the pilot authorities reclaim the money that they spend on EMAs from a Standards Fund set up especially for this purpose.

Education Maintenance Allowance Scheme

Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When it is planned to extend the pilot scheme to provide education maintenance allowances for 16 year-olds to all 16 year-olds.

Baroness Blackstone: We started piloting education maintenance allowances (EMAs) in 15 areas from September 1999. We will be introducing a small number of specialist pilots from this September, to test the effectiveness of a specific payment for transport costs. In addition, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State has announced that a further £50 million will be made available to extend EMAs in additional areas from this September.
	By September 2000, approximately 30 per cent of sixteen year-olds will be in areas eligible for an EMA. We are convinced that the EMA has the potential to make a real difference to young people's life chances. However, no firm decisions have been taken about any further extensions and we are continuing to evaluate the pilots.

Food Standards Agency and MAFF's Role

Baroness Whitaker: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's relations with consumers' organisations will be affected by the establishment of the Food Standards Agency.

Baroness Hayman: The Ministry already has well developed relations with consumers and their representative organisations which we intend to build on following separation of the Food Standards Agency on 1 April.
	The consumer interest in food safety will become the principal responsibility of the Food Standards Agency. The Ministry's aim already states clearly the central role which consumer benefit plays in our work. This will not change, but the Ministry's first Objective will be amended (the word 'food' in the former Objective will be replaced by the words 'farm produce') to become:
	'To protect public health in relation to farm produce and to animal diseases transmissible to humans'.
	The Ministry will retain all its other objectives unchanged as set out in the Departmental Report.
	We want to strengthen the Ministry's links with consumer organisations. I will be taking specific responsibility for MAFF's relationship with consumers. My right honourable friend the Minister and I intend to meet representatives of the main consumer organisations as soon as possible after the establishment of the Food Standards Agency. Our goal is to ensure that consumer concerns are fully reflected in decision making across the Ministry's responsibilities.
	We will also be looking to change existing arrangements which no longer serve to deliver real benefits to consumers. The Consumer's Committee for Great Britain was established under the Agricultural Marketing Act 1958. Despite its name, the Committee's statutory responsibilities relate only to the interests of consumers in the operation of marketing schemes made under the Act. As a result of changes over the years, only one such scheme now remains, covering wool, and this scheme does not have any direct impact on consumers. We are considering, along with the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly, whether the Agricultural Marketing Act 1958 should be amended. In the meantime, we intend to leave the Committee in abeyance and not re-appoint members.

Agriculture: Government Strategy

Lord Graham of Edmonton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the outcome of the Prime Minister's summit on the Government's strategy for agriculture.

Baroness Hayman: We have placed in Libraries of both Houses a paper outlining the Government's strategy for agriculture as discussed at the Prime Minister's summit today.

Diazinon-based Sheep Dips

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which company or companies manufactured diazinon between 1975 and 1999; whether, if more than one company was involved, the appropriate licensing authority was advised on each occasion that epichlorhydrin was removed from the commercial formulation of products with diazinon as the active ingredient; and, if the licensing authority was not advised, why not.

Baroness Hayman: A considerable amount of work will be needed to check this information. However, it is known that currently there are two manufacturers of diazinon used in sheep dips. They are Nippon Kayaku Co Ltd, Tokyo and Ciba Geigy, Basle. No commercial formulation of a veterinary medicinal product containing diazinon as the active ingredient currently uses epichlorhydrin as a stabiliser. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate was informed by the marketing authorisation holders of the removal of epichchlorhydrin from the formulation of their products. I will write to the noble Countess when the detailed information she has requested is available.

Diazinon-based Sheep Dips

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What independent research has been conducted into the chemical reactions that occur in formulations of diazinon-based organophosphate sheep dips when they are stored under variable conditions, when the concentrates are mixed according to manufacturers' instructions in water of variable PH and temperature and when the mixed dip is left standing; and, if such research has been conducted, whether the results have been published.

Baroness Hayman: Data to support the information on stability needed to satisfy the requirements of Council Directive 81/852/EEC are submitted by the manufacturer. For stability data, the information required is set out in Section F of the Directive. The data are specific to the product concerned. The Licensing Authority does not carry out independent research of this nature. The information required includes data to support the shelf life, recommended storage conditions and specifications at the end of the shelf life. Where a finished product requires reconstitution prior to administration, details of the proposed shelf life for the reconstituted product are also required. Where a finished product is liable to give rise to degradation products, the applicant must declare them, indicate characterisation methods, test procedures and acceptable levels.

Food Safety and Antimicrobial Resistance

Lord Harris of Haringey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have considered the wide-ranging recommendations made by the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF) in their report on Microbial Antibiotic Resistance in Relation to Food Safety which was published in August 1999.

Baroness Hayman: The Government have given careful consideration to all the recommendations of the ACMSF and have accepted those that call for government action. For the other recommendations, the regulations that are already in place or the activities that are underway have been outlined in the Government's response.
	The response to the report highlights the importance that the Government attach to the issue of antimicrobial resistance. Additionally, it indicates the considerable amount of work that is already under way in this field to prevent, reduce or delay the development of antimicrobial resistance in food-producing animals. This includes a number of research and development projects in this area, funding for which will amount to £3.7 million over the next three years. The results from these projects will direct future policy decisions and thus further minimise the risk to public health.
	Copies of the Government's response have been placed in the Library.

Agriculture and the Euro

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What will be the positive and negative effects over the next decade on the British agricultural industry of the advent of the euro, whether or not the United Kingdom adopts the euro.

Baroness Hayman: The launch of the euro in eleven European Union (EU) countries has major implications for UK firms of all sizes across a number of business sectors, including agriculture. That is why the Government established the Euro Preparations Unit (EPU) in the Treasury. Since its inception in December 1997, EPU has run a major business information campaign on the euro and published euro factsheets and case studies, which help SMEs in particular to take account of the euro now that it is a business reality. Further information can be found in the Treasury's regular euro progress reports, the most recent of which was published in November 1999. Copies of these reports are available in the Library of the House.

Cattle Brain Tissue Analysis

Lord Lucas: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hayman on 17 March (WA235), which test was used in the survey of 4,163 cattle; and (a) what were the results of this survey or (b) when will these results be made public

Baroness Hayman: Of the brains removed, a total of 3,951 were in a suitable condition for examination by all the tests that were to be applied. The results from the microscopic analysis of brain tissue showed that 18 cattle had signs of BSE infection and 3,933 were negative and showed no sign of infection. These results were put to the House on 16 July 1999. Subsequently, the Prionics western blot test has been used on all samples and this test has confirmed the initial findings. No additional positive brains were identified. Samples will also be examined using the DELFIA test. Testing by DELFIA, and consequential interpretation of the results, has been delayed by the need to have the test evaluated by the European Commission. However, all 18 of the positive brains identified so far are positive by DELFIA. Final interpretation of the data must await the completion of DELFIA testing and evaluation.

Vehicle Number Plates

Lord Hardy of Wath: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proposals they have for new regulations relating to number plates.

Lord Whitty: The department has recently concluded public consultation on proposals for new regulations relating to the display of vehicle number plates. Details of the department's response in the light of the comments made will be placed in the Library of the House tomorrow.

Food Standards Agency

Lord Hardy of Wath: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What arrangements they have made concerning the establishment of the Food Standards Agency.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The provisions establishing the Food Standards Agency under the Food Standards Act 1999 are due to come into force on 1 April. The Food Standards Agency will act as a non-ministerial department which will be accountable to Parliament through Health Ministers. As of 1 April, we shall have day-to-day responsibility for parliamentary business relating to food safety and standards matters, including questions from Peers. We shall also be responsible for dealing with relevant correspondence from Members of this House. Details of the Food Standards Agency's role and organisation will be placed in the Library.

NHS Research and Development

Lord Stallard: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they intend to take forward the reform of research and development in the National Health Service.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We are today announcing a programme of modernisation to give strategic direction to the management of research and development in the National Health Service.
	High quality modern health care depends on high quality research-based evidence. These changes bring the management of R&D in the NHS into line with the principles set out in The new NHS (Cm 3807, December 1997). They provide a quality framework within which all R&D funded from NHS resources will respond to the principles and needs of the NHS.
	The Department of Health will take the lead in expressing priorities for the national effort in health services research, on behalf of the NHS. The NHS will work with other funding bodies and the universities to deliver advances in knowledge that the NHS needs for evidence-based practice and policy.
	Collaboration will replace unproductive competition. There will be no time-consuming NHS-wide bidding for NHS R&D allocations from April 2001. Instead, the Government will use a modernisation fund to encourage research partnerships and networks in areas of high priority for the NHS. We want to ensure that consumers of health services are involved at every stage in the research process. New guidance will reinforce the standards of governance and performance management required of R&D in the NHS.
	The NHS is part of the national science base. These reforms ensure that the NHS and the Department of Health meet the obligations of their partnership with other research funding bodies. Within this framework, the NHS will target resources on providing a suitable environment for high quality research conducted within strategies that take account of its priorities and needs.
	The paper Research and Development for a First Class Service: R&D funding in the new NHS sets out a new statement of policy and principles together with plans for implementation. Copies have been placed in the Library. It is also available on the Department of Health's website.
	These reforms build on a new review led by Professor Michael Clarke on behalf of the Central R&D Committee for the NHS. We are today making his report available on the Department of Health's website. As well as the management and funding of R&D in the NHS, Professor Clarke's review considered NHS priorities for R&D related to cancer, the elderly, heart disease and stroke, mental health, and primary care, and took account of a review of research priorities for accidental injury. We are placing these reports on the department's website. We intend to make early progress with the R&D priorities for cancer, heart disease and stroke, and mental health.

Poinding and Warrant Sale, Scotland: Tax Effects of Abolition

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What consequences the enactment of the Abolition of Poindings and Warrant Sales Bill currently before the Scottish Parliament would have for businesses and consumers throughout the United Kingdom; and what effect it would have on the tax burden placed on the United Kingdom population as a whole.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Revenue Departments' concern is that, whatever the outcome of the debate on the future of poinding and warrant sale, there should be adequate alternative arrangements for outstanding tax to be collected from companies and individuals in Scotland.

Greenwich Park: Car Parking Charges

Lord Harris of Greenwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 14 March (WA 202), how many members of the public have expressed support for the introduction of car parking charges in Greenwich Park; which of the organisations consulted supported the proposal; and what is the estimated cost of administering the scheme in the financial year 2000-01.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Responsibility for the subject of this question has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency and I have asked them to arrange for a reply to be given.
	Letter to Lord Harris from the Head of Policy of the Royal Parks Agency, Viviane Robertson, dated 30 March 2000
	Pending the appointment of a new Chief Executive, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has asked me to reply to your parliamentary question about the introduction of parking charges in Greenwich Park. This is an operational matter for which the agency is responsible.
	It is difficult to find an effective way of consulting the general public directly about the introduction of parking charges, but we inevitably receive unsolicited letters in the course of consulting representative organisations. In this case we received some 60 letters, of which only two or three were in favour. In such circumstances we would expect that the majority of people who feel strongly enough to write would be opposed to the proposal, but they amount to a very small proportion of the thousands of people who visit the park in a year.
	All the interested organisations that we consulted supported the introduction of parking charges in principle, although some had reservations about the level of the charge and the times when they would apply. The agency has revised its original proposals in the light of their comments.
	The estimated cost of administering the scheme in the financial year 2000-01 is £76,000.

Girls Under 16: Pregnancies

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many girls under the age of 16 and in the care of a local authority:
	(a) had pregnancies recorded;
	(b) had pregnancies terminated;
	in the latest year for which figures are available, broken down by local authority area; and
	How many girls under the age of 16 in England and Wales:
	(a) had pregnancies recorded;
	(b) had pregnancies terminated;
	in the latest year for which figures are available.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter to Lord Alton of Liverpool from the Director of the Office for National Statistics, Dr T Holt, dated 30 March 2000
	As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent questions on the numbers of girls under the age of 16 in England and Wales who had pregnancies recorded and who had pregnancies terminated.
	In 1998, there were 8,438 conceptions to girls aged under 16, in England and Wales, of which 4,428 led to termination.
	Statistics on pregnancies of girls in local authority care are not available centrally.

Wales: Additional Education Funding

Lord Roberts of Conwy: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much additional spending on education and health announced in the Budget will be allocated to Wales.

Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton: Wales will receive £49.6 million of the increase in education funding for 2000-01, and £1,299 million of the increase in health funding, which is for the financial years 2000-01 to 2003-04. The use of these resources is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales to decide. The Finance Secretary set out her proposals in the Assembly's debate on the Budget on 28 March.

Wales: NHS Expenditure

Lord Roberts of Conwy: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish an annual run of expenditure figures for the National Health Service in Wales up to 2004.

Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton: Expenditure for the National Health Service in Wales up to 2004 is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

Wales: NHS Expenditure

Lord Roberts of Conwy: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the current totality of deficits in the National Health Service Trusts in Wales.

Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton: Responsibility for allocation of funds to the National Health Service in Wales, and for monitoring trusts' financial deficits, rests with the National Assembly for Wales.

Wales: Task Forces and Review Groups

Lord Roberts of Conwy: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish the names of members of task forces and review groups currently operating in Wales.

Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton: Information is not held centrally on task forces and review groups operating in Wales, but is currently being collected, and will be placed in the Library as soon as possible. I will write to the noble Lord when this has been done.

Wales: NHS Trust Members

Lord Roberts of Conwy: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish the names of members of Welsh National Health Service Trusts.

Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton: The responsibility for appointing to Trust and Health Authority Boards rests with the National Assembly for Wales. In line with set procedures, each time an appointment is made it is announced publicly. A full list of names of Trust Board members can be found in the Trust Annual Reports.

Nursing and Care Home Residents: Diabetes--Screening

Lord Blease: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What provisions are available in Northern Ireland for the regular screening for diabetes of those resident in nursing homes and in care establishments.

Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton: There is no routine screening programme for diabetes at present. However, this is currently being reviewed by the National Screening Committee. Residents in nursing homes and residential care accommodation, like the rest of the general population, are registered with family doctors and have access to general medical services. GPs are encouraged to screen patients for diabetes, particularly those in high risk groups, during routine consultations or to test for diabetes of patients present with symptoms or signs of the disease. Other health care professionals such as community nurses, pharmacists, optometrists and chiropodists may identify symptoms or signs and refer patients for further investigation.

Northern Ireland: Pregnancies in 11 to 16 year-old Girls

Lord Blease: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What were the number of pregnant teenage girls in Northern Ireland in each of the six age groups from 11 year-olds to 16 year-olds, for each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton: It is not possible to provide information on the number of pregnant teenage girls in Northern Ireland, as the number of pregnancies is not recorded.
	The number of births to teenage girls aged 11-16 registered in Northern Ireland in each of the years 1994-1998 is shown in the table below.
	
		Number of births* registered in Northern Ireland, by age of mother, 1994-1998
		
			 Age of Mother 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 
			 11 0 0 0 0 0 
			 12 0 0 0 0 0 
			 13 1 1 1 1 1 
			 14 10 12 13 3 8 
			 15 39 32 40 41 47 
			 16 120 102 162 153 148

Northern Ireland: Bus and Rail Transport Studies

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What investigations and reports on bus and rail transport in Northern Ireland have been carried out over the last 10 years, by whom, covering what periods, and costing how much.

Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton: Details of investigations and reports undertaken post-1995 on bus and rail transport in Northern Ireland are set out below in Table 1:
	
		Table 1
		
			 Nature of investigation or report Carried out by Covering the period 
			 Evaluation of Easibus System University of Ulster 1995-96 
			 Provision of Traffic Engineering Constancy Services; Bus Priority Oscar Faber March 1998-January 1999 
			 Research on the development of community transport in rural areas TAS Partnership August 1998-March 2000 
			 Public Private Partnerships Outline Business Case Options PricewaterhouseCoopers February 1999-November 1999 
			 Interim bus and rail solutions PricewaterhouseCoopers May 1999-date 
			 Y2K assessment of Translink Deloitte and Touche June 1999 
			 Pilot free travel scheme for elderly people The MVA Partnership June 1999-date 
			 Albertbridge Tidal Flow and Bus Priority Oscar Faber August 1999-February 2000 
		
	
	The total cost of these investigations and reports is £295,000. Full information prior to 1995 could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Those details that are, however, readily available are shown in Table 2.
	
		Table 2
		
			 Nature of investigation or report Carried out by Approximate period 
			 Bus Priority Study for the Oxford Street Area JMP 1991 
			 Collection of data on Ormeau Road Bus Lane Scheme University of Ulster 1993 
			 Southern Approaches Transport Modelling and Advice The MVA Constancy 1993 
			 Queen Street Bus Station--Feasibility Study IMP 1994 
			 Development of a Bus Strategy for Greater Belfast Steer Davies Gleave 1994 
			 Bus Strategy for Belfast Steer Davies Gleave 1994